Help in making a good purchase

I have been out of the market for years and know there are many new and advanced handguns out there. I am prior military and have owned a few handguns. The only survivor is a Walther P-5 that I brought from Germany. A few months back I purchased a Glock 36 for a carry and range gun. It jammed on me 6 times the first time I went to the range. It was probably the ammo but I just didn't care for the gun. It didn't fit me well and was just not comfortable to shoot. I agree Glock's are great guns, just not for me. I have small hands and a small frame. 5ft 8in, 160pd. I may have to buy a carry gun and a range gun. I know everyone will have a different opinion but I would like to hear from you, as to a quality gun at an affordable price (under 1000.00). I would love light weight, little recoil in a in a round large enough to do the job. The FN Five-Seven seems to be along this line but the round is in question and it travels forever. Anyway your advise would be appericated. I am in no hurry to purchase, I did sell my Glock. Thanks, Chazz

As the resident guy who carries wierd guns, my personal carry guns are polymer framed semi compact Baby Eagle in 9mm, Beretta 84, Radom Polish p64. These are my main carry guns though I may throw in S&W M&P, S&W Sigma, Beretta 92fs, or Taurus pt-111. All have been flawless in function and all work for me well but I do stick to the first three the vast majority of the time.
The Baby Eagle is a TDA gun with 15 +1 capacity of 9mm and only 24 oz.
The Beretta 84 is a TDA with 13 + 1 of 380. and about 23 oz.

I am a big fan of finding what feels good in your hand first, then determine if the gun is of a reliable manufacturer. Also depending on what size and type of gun you choose will determine if you need a range gun and a carry gun. The Baby Eagle is a great size for carry or range, so for me it is all in one but if you choose a compact or sub-compact you may want to get a different gun for those longe range sessions.
Good luck in your search.

We are simular in size. Statiscally, very average. Knowing that I can tell you the auto's that fit my hand well have been SigSauer, Walther, CZ, Beretta and S&W. Now, keep in mind I prefer 9mm and double stack. My small hands do better with a little wider grip handle like the double stack compared to single stack magazines wells. I stay with the major brand name manufacturers. Personally, I'd direct you towards the SigSauer line. I'd also highly recommend the Walther P99. I've had quality control issues with newer S&W auto's, so they would be last on my list. Those are my opinions...other members will have selections they like best. Good luck. Don't forget to research the web. Many unbias articles to read.

No - they used to make a "Titanium Coated" one - basically some sort of silver polymer finish, but it turned out to not be very durable, and they quit. They only make the tennifer coated one now (same finish that Glock uses). But, I hard chromed all 3 of mine - no more holster wear now. Hard chrome is pretty much the hardest finish U can put on a gun. Unless you scratch it with another metal object or drag it on the cement, U won't scratch it.

The P99 comes in 3 triggers...

A/S = Double action 1st shot, single action all other shots. The SA pull is so, so sweet. But, it also has what is equivalent to a 3rd action - U can set it to have the single action weight on the first shot, but with the double action pull length. So, U don't get that heavy 1st shot. That is optional. So, it is almost triple action.

QA = Same pull on every shot - like a Glock or XD. The trigger is heavier, however, but it does have a very short pull range. Still, I find it too heavy for me. I do not lik ethe QA trigger.

DAO = Long, heavy pull every shot - like other traditional DAO guns. These hardly sell, and are very hard to find, even if you did want one. They usually go pretty cheap compared to the other models, because they sit on a dealer's shelf for so long before someone will buy it.

The A/S is what the gun is famous for, and was the original trigger variation as well.

WOW looks great. How much for the hard chrome finish? What is your opinion on the 9mm verses the .40 cal? Do you use special ammo for the 9mm for self defense? Also what about the compact verses full size? I would like the compact, not sure if I would like it at the range. I am certainly headed towards the Walther. Thanks for your help, I may make this purchase sooner than expected. I have a friend with a license that can order for me. Could you recommend the best company and the best price?

WOW looks great. How much for the hard chrome finish? What is your opinion on the 9mm verses the .40 cal? Do you use special ammo for the 9mm for self defense? Also what about the compact verses full size? I would like the compact, not sure if I would like it at the range. I am certainly headed towards the Walther. Thanks for your help, I may make this purchase sooner than expected. I have a friend with a license that can order for me. Could you recommend the best company and the best price?

Well, 5 of my 6 guns are 9mm - the last one is a Keltec 32. The only guns I have ever owned were basically 9mms or 45 cals. Those are the only 2 calibers I care for. I am not a fan of the 40 cal. Ammo technology has come a long way from the old days, and U don't have to carry +p ammo to get good performance out of a 9mm. U can use +p if U want, however. I have read articles showing that some of the +p and +p+ ammo can make the 9mm equal the 357 magnum. But, caliber wars are meaningless, anyway. It is shot placement that counts.

In various guns, I have seen people regret buying a 40 cal because it is too snappy for them... So, I am satisfied with the 9mm.

As for the hard chroming - prices have gon eup a bit. Now its about $115 to hard chrome a slide w/ return shipping. I also had the extractors and the decocker buttons covered in a black polymer coating (included in the price). Makes the gun look much nicer.

The P99c has a little bit more recoil than a Glock 26, but it really isn't bad. U may want to fire other similiar sized guns, however (like the Glock 26 or the smallest XD) if you haven't already. So U can at least get an idea of what it is like to shoot a small 9mm.

I keep in practice with my compact P99, but obviously the fullsize is more fun to shoot. I have put over 2x the number of rounds thru my fullsize P99, and have owned the compact 2x as long. One must remember that these sub compact guns are meant for carry - not for shooting at the range all day long. I mean, U can. But your hand may get tired after 200 rounds or so. And, I like the longer sight radius that larger guns give U. So, I just keep in practice with my P99c, but love to go plink with the fullsize P99.

I will say that I find the P99c to be more accurate than the G26 - at least for me.

I am not a fan of the FN 5-7, especially in a pistol. It's claim to fame is that it will penetrate body armor, but that is about the only thing going for it. Of course certain other loads will do it more convential calibers at much less money.

I am 5'8" 160 lbs carry full size 1911a1, or Colt Double Eagle both are 45 acp.
never have any trouble from either and cal. will do the job and has for over 90 years.

Do you not have concealment problems with the 1911? I'd think it would stick out more prominently than my G23. I'm about your size just an inch shorter and twenty pounds heavier. It's all muscle.. no really, it is. Really, I'm not kidding. Well... maybe I have a little abdominal insulation.

I have a Sig P229 and also have small hands. I had to have a "short trigger" put on it to grip it correctly. The P99 Walther is a good suggestion. The H&K P2000 is also a great gun. Like the P99 it has three backstraps from which to choose to get the right fit.